UNDP in China

UNDP hosts first Technology and Development event

25 Apr 2014

UNDP China hosted its first Technology and Development-themed event, an interactive discussion and dinner convening leaders and innovators from different fields, in Beijing on 24 April 2014. A group of entrepreneurs, scholars, and development professionals were invited to exchange ideas on how to generate innovative solutions to development challenges facing modern Chinese society. UNDP Country Director Christophe Bahuet and Deputy Country Director Patrick Haverman attended the event.

The idea to launch a series of Technology and Development events initiated from UNDP’s belief in multi-sectoral collaboration among different disciplines in addressing the world’s foremost development challenges. As Mr. Bahuet stressed in his opening remarks, the main purpose of the series is to create a platform to engage a wider range of stakeholders in the field of development, especially those who work at the frontier of technology and innovation in China. UNDP is interested in exploring new possibilities of partnership with friends who work in social innovation, social and new media, and technology to find new solutions toward a better future and building a more equitable and sustainable world.

The highlight of the first Technology and Development gathering was its interactive idea-generation session, where the guests were divided into smaller groups and encouraged to express their opinions, concerns, and suggestions on two topics: youth employment and E-waste in China. Facilitated by UNDP staff, guests participated actively in the session. Attendees shared insights and possible solutions for the two development challenges raised, and also contributed a wealth of personal anecdotes, enriching discussions with different perspectives and understandings of China’s current technology and development situation.